Commerce Minister reviews progress of sectoral export promotion strategy

NEW DELHI: The Department of Commercewill soonopen10 offices in Indian missions abroad for accelerating export promotion activities.nnThis was informed by Commerce & Industry Minister, Suresh Prabhu during review of the sectoral export promotion plans prepared by Ministries and Departments in New Delhi today.nnHe said a conference of Heads of Indian missions has been scheduled in June end in which trade promotion measures will be discussed.nnThe Minister stressed on branding of Indian products and export credit as important focus areas for export promotion. He also said that efforts should be made for getting priority sector lending status for export credit and directed the logistics division of the Ministry to work upon measures like bulk cargo transportation to reduce freight costs.nnThe Minister suggested that each Ministry and Department should set targets for increasing exports of their product and product groups in 2018-2019.Commerce Minister emphasised that exports are a national priority and an integrated approach is required to promote exports as a joint mission. He directed that this forum should be institutionalized and inter-ministerial meetings be held every quarter to resolve difficulties and assess the progress across sectors.nnCommerce Secretary,Rita Teaotia said that although exports have grown in the past year, a quantum jump is required. She also emphasized that branding is a major issue cutting across all sectors and Brand Equity Foundation is formulating a proposal to support line Ministries for branding export products.nnDirector General Foreign Trade,AlokChaturvedi informed the participants that Department of Commerce is preparing a ?100 Billion Additional Export Strategy? which will be released shortly.nnMerchandise Exports in 2017-18 grew by 9.8% YoY while Services Exports were up by 17.8% YoY. Total Exports were up by 12.9% in 2017-18 as compared to 2016-17.nnThe Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, C R Chaudhary was also present at the meeting. The meeting was attended by Secretaries to Government of India from DIPP, MSME, Textiles, Chemicals and Petrochemicals besides senior officers from other administrative ministries and departments including Agriculture, Electronics and IT, Department of Heavy Industry and Defence Production.